Slovak Smart City Cluster

In order to develop and promote the Smart City concept in the Slovak Republic, the Association focuses on: a) support, promotion and awareness raising of the Smart City concept,
 b) interconnection of the academic and commercial spheres in the field of Smart City and transfer of know-how,
 c) cooperation with other organizations and interest groups with a similar subject of activity,
 d) co-operation with state administration and self-government bodies in the preparation and commenting of conceptual documents and relevant legal norms. To fulfill these tasks, the association implements and supports a number of activities such as:
 
a) Creating a platform for sharing experiences, generally accepted standards and practices as well as challenges faced by Smart City professionals through:

(i) regular meetings / discussions of members of the Association and working groups;

b) Development and promotion of appropriate, certification schemes for the Smart City area.

c) Initiating and actively participating in discussions with relevant bodies, institutions and bodies involved in the preparation, implementation and enforcement of relevant legislation and the regulatory framework. d) Support and cooperation with universities, secondary schools, professional and research institutions for the implementation of research and development activities in the field of Smart City, including experimental activities. e) Initiating dialogue with public administration bodies, representatives of non- governmental organizations and chambers of commerce in order to support the development and implementation of the Smart City concept.

(ii) specific events, trainings and workshops on specific topics;

(iii) the development of the Association's website.

f) support for practice-oriented research, development and innovation to increase the competitiveness of cities and urban regions in the Smart City area,
 g) support of communication between business, public, self-governing and non-profit organizations in the field of Smart City, h) promotion of the Smart City concept and its individual areas, including the organization of cultural, social and charitable events related to the promotion and support of this concept,
 i) lectures and publications,
 
 j) cooperation and support of members of the Association in the field of marketing, information acquisition and sorting, education, joint purchase of selected services and materials, joint sale of selected services and products and other services according to current needs of members of the Association in connection with development and implementation of Smart City concept k) support of members or joint preparation of projects for obtaining grants and subsidies from the EU structural funds and other sources in the field of Smart City,
 l) processing of analyzes, market research, competitive environment and evaluation of economic and social impacts of innovations in the field of Smart City,
 m) preparation of expert opinions and assessments in the field of Smart City, n) establishing and developing contacts with similar institutions abroad and concluding cooperation agreements with these partners, o) cooperation with state administration and self-government bodies in the territory of the Slovak Republic and abroad in the development and support of research, development and business activities of its members and for the implementation of development plans of the state administration and self-government bodies concerned.